The placard, ‘No human being is illegal’ refers to US
President Trump’s proposed wall to keep out Mexicans.

Very large chunks of the southern US (including five complete
states) used to be part of Mexico anyway. Previous attempts to seal the border have
proved to be more expensive than letting Mexicans in.

A recent visit to US by UK Prime Minister Theresa May put
the two leaders on hand-holding terms. Mrs. May is driving the Brexit process that
could take us out of the European Union and put an end to decades of peace,
prosperity and stability.

Only the Labour Party, by joining forces with smaller parties, could stop the Brexit bandwagon – but Labour leader Mr. Corbyn (a fine man in many ways)
appears to be saying, Leaving the EU is a bad idea but we support it.

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

On Tuesday 17th January 2017 I posted this picture which dates from 1960s/early '70s. In the background, on the inside of the sea wall, is a large notice beginning PERSONS LEAVING BOTTLES . . .
The question: What does the complete notice say?

The answer: PERSONS LEAVING BOTTLES OR GLASS ON THE BEACH WILL BE PROSECUTED.
The notice was repeated further westwards near top of John Street as shown below:

If you were word perfect you could award yourself a win.

The black-and-white image dates from about a decade before the colour pic. It is from Bill Ellis' book 'The Spirit Of Rhyl'. I am pleased to report that Bill is in reasonably fine fettle and still making lunchtime pilgrimages to Sidoli's ice cream parlour.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BRYNTIRION FARMRobert Scott has popped up again. This time he says, "I am quite anxious to find a photo of the Bryntirion Farm buildings, once occupied by Mr & Mrs Arthur E. Roberts of the William Roberts Ltd family from about 1915 until 1926."It was also known later as Finnegan’s Gardens, between Highfield Park and the railway. This was within an area now bounded by Highfield Park, St. Georges Crescent (part) and Parc Esmor (part) also including Clos Gladstone and Cae Uchaf. "If any of your Readers has, or can guide me to, a photo/drawing of the property I would be most appreciative."If you can help with this please drop a line to Robert Scott via Yours Truly.

Next Wednesday (25th Jan) is St. Dwynwen's Day. To put you in romantic and sentimental mood here is Forget-Me-Not, A Soldier's Verse-Letter sent from Ernest at Kinmel Park Camp around a hundred years ago:

These photos from The Journal take us back to 1989 and the fledgling Rhyl Adventure Playground – in Marsh Road at the time.

In the lower picture, with the children is play worker Tony Chilton. Handing over a donation is Clwyd County Councillor Ray Formstone, next to him is Denise Roebuck (a council officer), and on the receiving end is Dawn Simcock of Rhyl Community Agency.

Dawn, a jolly nice woman whom I remember well, has been living for quite a few years in the United States and raising a family there. Dawn if you are reading this, your ex-colleague James Harrison would like to get in touch. You could reach James via Yours Truly:

Earlier today Prime Minister Theresa May delivered a speech on the UK’s proposed withdrawal from the European Union. The speech glossed over the fact that more than 48 per cent of voters in the EU referendum had actually voted to Remain.

Around here many who voted Leave did so out of ignorance and spite. To take an extreme example, I spoke to a chap in Wellington Market, Rhyl, who said he had voted Leave because he didn’t like the ‘bedroom tax’.

Mrs. May and her advisers have somehow interpreted the referendum result as yearning by voters for a more global and internationalist Britain. Dear me, the racist and xenophobic comments by Leavites indicated exactly the opposite.

Mrs. May’s government wants have its cake and eat it, for instance by leaving the EU single market while continuing to trade with it on a tariff-free basis. I don’t know why other EU member states should agree to that.

Losing access to the single market would hit Wales especially hard. As Plaid Cymru pointed out in a recent bulletin: We have the highest proportion of exports going to the EU of any UK nation.

Sunday, 15 January 2017

On Tuesday 3rd January I posted eight Rhyl questions to get your brainbox working after the Christmas/New Year break.

Question 1 was about a photo of the trough/fountain on the promenade. The question: What is hidden behind the red dots?The answer: 1963.
Here is the photo without dots. The inscription in full reads: "Presented by Mrs William Jenkins Birmingham 1963."

--Question 2 was based on a 1950 photo of Rhyl councillors and staff.
The question: What is the occasion?The answer:Routine visit to/inspection of Rhyl Waterworks.
Many familiar faces here. Easily discernible sitting in front row, 2nd from left with hat on knees, is Coun P.T. Trehearn. In the first row of standing figures, 3rd from right is Coun Glyn Vaughan.

--Question 3 concerned a recent shot showing part of a block of flats.
The question: What is the English name of the building?The answer: New Horizon.
The block is usually known by its Welsh name Gorwel Newydd; it is on corner of West Parade and Butterton Road.

--Question 4. In this image of a religious gathering, what was the nearest theatre?

The answer: Rhyl Pavilion.
The clue in the far background is the white statue of an unknown soldier in Boer War campaign dress, facing the sea.

In its two subsequent positions along the prom the statue has faced the opposite way. Incidentally, the designer/sculptor was Herbert Chatham who created the Boer War figure that stands in the shopping centre at Winsford, Cheshire.

--Question 5. Here is a flyer for Celebrity's night club. In what hotel was Celebrity's?

The answer: Marina Hotel
I have a note saying that the hotel was closed following a police raid in 2012. Not long afterwards the hotel was converted to flats (Marina Apartments).

--Question 6. Below: pomp and ceremony draws a crowd. Where were they standing?

The answer: Rhyl Railway Station.
The event is a visit by The Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1850–1942), third son of Queen Victoria.
At first glance I thought that would be the far left of the station building but a photo I took a few days ago says no - it doesn't match:

Maybe the far left part is an extension built later on, or perhaps the old photo was taken inside the station (crowd being on opposite platform). Hmmmm.

--Question 7. This building's name is hidden by a cluster of black dots. What is it?The answer: Rhyl Bowling Club.
The building is in Seabank Road. Here is the picture without dots:

--Question 8. The following roofs (rooves if you like) are where?

The answer: Marine Holiday Park aka Marine Caravan Park,
The business is located in Cefndy Road opposite Rhyl College and is owned by Hoseasons.

--
So, how many did you get right out of eight?
Six or more = splendid.
Four or five = OK.
Less than four = Go and stand in the corner!

--FRI 3rd FEB 2017 UPDATE: While we are out clubbing, here is a 1996 flyer from the
Downtown in West Parade (near Ocean Beach Fun Fair).Click on it to see small print.

Front of flyer:

Steam 2 rave tour

Back of flyer:

Downtown Club residents:

DJ 3.D.O.M, DJ Dolphin, DJ/M.C. Eazy, M.C. Delicious, M.C.
Eternal.

DJ Scorpio, DJ Producer, DJ HMS, DJ Loftgroover, DJ Brisk,

M.C. Squidgy B.

Visitors and others:

DJ Nicky B, DJ FDA, DJ Destroyer, DJ Vortex.

DJ Clarkee, DJ Mastervibe, DJ Menace, DJ Psycho 9.

DJ Jay Prescott, DJ Smarti, DJ Sass, DJ Frantic, DJ Macca,
DJ Tox.

DJ Mark E.G., DJ Aggressor.

DJ Freak, DJ Jack Hammer, DJ A/Trax.

--SAT 18th NOV 2017 UPDATE: Here is another club flyer. This one is from 1992 –

References on the flyer:Clash Promotions, Rhyl Fridays, DJ Symon M, DJ Rob Tissara, PSI Division, DJ Sami B, Sunset Radio 102 FM, DJ Nipper, DJ Slipmatt, DJ Stu Allen, DJ Dave Angel, DJ Kenny Ken, DJ Mike E-Bloc.The location is not specified exactly but the following clues are in the text "OPEN AIR CHILL OUT DANCE BALCONY OVERLOOKING THE SEA" and "Next door to the fun fair on the seafront" and therefore the finger of suspicion points to the Downtown Club again.The telephone number has an error. That should be 01745 351 861. Was that the Downtown's number?Colin Jones / rhyl.colin.jones@live.co.uk--

Sunday, 8 January 2017

Blessed are the peace makers and not the war makers. The image above is captioned Denbighshire T.Y. RHYL 1912 "Church Parade". Abbreviation T.Y. may stand for Territorial Youth. On the other hand, it may not.

Click on any image to see a bigger version.

The Rhyl district, a comparatively safe place, has been ideal for military training camps. Here is a picture captioned The Lancashire Hussars Camp at Rhyl 1909:

The following is Western Signal Camp, Royal Engineers Camp at RHYL 1913 (the year before The Great War aka World War 1 began):

Below: Taking a break at Denbighshire Hussars Camp Rhyl 1914.

Recently the next item was for sale on Internet, hence the seller's logo. The accompanying description said DRUM MAJOR PALMER 1st RHONDDA BATT WELSH REGIMENT BAND POSE RHYL 1914:

The letters R.B.B. above must stand for Rhondda Battalion Band. I wonder why soldiers from South Wales were up here.

The next was taken at Kinmel Park Camp, Bodelwyddan, in 1916 by which time the war was half over. It is in the form of a postcard addressed to John Evans Esq of Kensington, Liverpool.

The postcard bears the following message on the reverse: "Waiting for a word from you. I have blood poison in my right hand & be home very soon. Your friend, Dick."

The card below reflects the toxic combination of patriotism and emotional blackmail that led an estimated 744,000 young Britons to their deaths in that dreadful conflict.

It was a quiet enough Christmas and New Year here at Jones Towers. No doubt there was traditional rowdyism, drunkenness and brawling elsewhere in Rhyl.
Daily Post has published North Wales Police statistics regarding alcohol-fuelled violence outside licensed premises during a three-year period up to March last year.
These included Rhyl venues: Ellis' Vaults, Water Street (37 violent incidents); The Barrel, Water Street (22); The Bodfor, Bodfor Street (17).
Surely these places should not be allowed to renew their licences and carry on in business unless they make serious efforts to attract a more civilised clientele.
Read complete story in Daily Post:http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/rise-alcohol-fuelled-violence-outside-12379487